Transplanting a Bay Tree.

Same query as above. This little trojan of a tree has been in probably the worst part of the garden but has soldiered on. I reckon I'll be long gone before it's a size to bother anyone, so O'd like to shift it to the back of the house, in the raised bed which has good soil and where it would have a nice Kaffir lime for company. Again, when would be a good time to move it?

when it is dormant, usually winter time, how big is it and how long in it present possie ??

About 1 meter high - been in for 3 years. I'm not sure that it goes dormant.

well make sure when you dig it out to get most of the root ball ect...... they are oretty tuff plants I believe ?

they sound pretty tuff and should move okies, more info here

http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/fruit_veg_diary/fruit_veg_mini_project_september_3_bay.asp

I would treat it like a camellia. Trench around it out about 1/2 metre from the trunk, to a spades depth, and water well. I would maybe dig a channel to hold the water while it soaks in. Give it a few weeks to take its roots in. (That's not quite right, but sounds good) and then dig a decent sized root ball and put it straight into the prepared hole. Water it in thoroughly with a seasol type root stimulant, and don't feed it a hight nitrogen fertiliser or it will put on leaf growth at the expense of root growth, and suffer as a result.
Now and through until mid winter is probably the best time to move it, as dehydration will be minimal, and the roots have a chance to get hold before new growth commences.
Cheers, jan

Great advise Siri

Let us know how you go - I'm all for transplanting things whenever it suits - just take care - the roots will need to be kept moist before, during and after.

Thanks guys. I will wait until about the Solstice I think - I have to do a fair bit of refurbishing once the posh wall it up and the camellias will be well into blossom by then, so I'll be able to see where the gaps might be. After this season's Camellia growth I'll start training them onto the fence so a Bay tree in the corner will look good and be handy for the kitchen!